The Sportsman and the Squirrel

　　HAVING arisen from the tomb, a Woman presented herself at the gate

　　of Heaven, and knocked with a trembling hand.

　　"Madam," said Saint Peter, rising and approaching the wicket,

　　"whence do you come?"

　　"From San Francisco," replied the Woman, with embarrassment1, as

　　great beads2 of perspiration3 spangled her spiritual brow.

　　"Never mind, my good girl," the Saint said, compassionately4.

　　"Eternity5 is a long time; you can live that down."

　　"But that, if you please, is not all." The Woman was growing more

　　and more confused. "I poisoned my husband. I chopped up my

　　babies. I - "

　　"Ah," said the Saint, with sudden austerity, "your confession6

　　suggests a very grave possibility. Were you a member of the

　　Women's Press Association?"

　　The lady drew herself up and replied with warmth:

　　"I was not."

　　The gates of pearl and jasper swung back upon their golden hinges,

　　making the most ravishing music, and the Saint, stepping aside,

　　bowed low, saying:

　　"Enter, then, into thine eternal rest."

　　But the Woman hesitated.

　　"The poisoning - the chopping - the - the - " she stammered7.

　　"Of no consequence, I assure you. We are not going to be hard on a

　　lady who did not belong to the Women's Press Association. Take a

　　harp8."

　　"But I applied9 for membership - I was blackballed."

　　"Take two harps10."